Qatar 2022 champion: the numbers that Argentina left in the historic feat of the three-time Albiceleste championship

Argentina added his third world Cup and he did it by signing records that will go down forever in the annals of football. Having as its highest banner Lionel Messithe Albiceleste extended the definition of the title to penalties against nothing more and nothing less than the current monarch, France and its great figure Kylian Mbappé.

Not only was it enough to put an end to a 36-year World Cup drought, Lionel Scaloni’s men reached a series of records that will leave them as one of the most remembered champions in the history of the most important tournament for national teams in the world.

Lionel Messi

At 35, the global football icon was finally able to win his first World Cup. He did it in his last participation and showing a level that has never been seen in this competition. His great performance earned him record some records that ended up consecrating him as the best footballer in the tournament held on Qatari soil.

One of the main criticisms that the Argentine star always had was that he never appeared in the most important moments. Many said that he hid in Brazil 2014 and that ended up costing them the runner-up. In Qatar 2022 he did it and with flying colors. He scored in each of the defining stages: eighth, quarter, semi and final. He thus became the first player in the history of the World Cups to score in said instances.

Messi’s World Cup

With his presence against France, the ’10’ added 26 appearances in World Cups and surpassed the German Lothar Matthäus, who held this record since France 1998. Likewise, he also had the luxury of leaving behind Paolo Maldini, the footballer with the most minutes of the competition With the 30 ′ extension, he managed to add 2239 minutes.

Despite not finishing as the top scorer, Lionel Messi signed seven goals and three assists. He reached 13 with his colors in World Cups and reached the French Just Fontaine in the fourth position of the top gunners. He was only below Miroslav Klose (16), Ronaldo (15) and Gerd Müller (14).

The Argentina captain also became the only footballer to win the Ballon d’Or twice (a prize that has been awarded since 1982). He was previously awarded in the 2014 World Cup, although on that occasion he was runner-up.

the helmsman

After the elimination of Argentina in Russia 2018, Lionel Scaloni took over as interim coach. A designation that made him the target of criticism from fans and journalists for many months. His inexperience as a strategist made more than one doubt that he could lead to such an urgent selection of titles as Argentina.

He was not intimidated and demonstrated based on his work. He did it with championships. First, winning the 2021 Copa América against Brazil at the Maracana. Months later he knocked out Italy in the Finalissima. He also came to this championship with 36 games undefeated. which expired in the first match against Saudi Arabia.

At just 44 years old, he played his first World Cup and did so by winning the maximum title. He ranked as the second youngest coach to touch the glory of this contest. He is only surpassed by César Luis Menotti (39 years old), who won the 1978 Argentina edition.

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